Our Governors

Because Montacute School is an Academy, its Governors are Trustees of the Academy Trust and Directors of the Company Limited by Guarantee as well. Their role is therefore a legal and charitable one as well as the role of monitoring the performance of the school and influencing its values. Being a governor of a school or academy is a voluntary role but one that we all carry seriously, understanding that what we do is on behalf of the wider community and parents, ensuring that standards are maintained and values are adhered to.

So who are we and what aspects of our role do we take particular responsibility for? There are currently 14 Governors but the number is determined according the work we are undertaking at the time. We have recently re organised our workload so we are still finding out how that works. We have 2 main committees.

The Standards Committee concentrates on the standard of education, health and safety and safeguarding and monitors the delivery of the curriculum and that children are making progress.

The Resources Committee takes responsibility for ensure the school's finances are well managed, that we have sufficient staff, and as the Governors employ the staff, that all legal obligations of being an employer are carried out. We also carry a responsibility to make sure the building is maintained well and fit for our students to use.

Each year we elect a chairman. This is an onerous role, organising the work of the governing body, and one that is difficult to fill. However current governors are willing to learn and we are looking at making the role less onerous so that it is more attractive.

Because we are a company we also have a Company Secretary, our Clerk, who is also a member of the school's office staff. While our meetings are professionally clerked by someone else, Gemma Bugler maintains our records of visits to school and generally keeps us well informed and up to date with school events.

We meet as a whole governing body at least once a term. Committees may meet more frequently depending on the business to be discussed. Our meetings are open to the public, especially parents, to attend (except where confidential issues are to be discussed) and we welcome visitors, a good introduction to prospective new governors! A phone call to Gemma to find out times of meetings is all that is necessary. Agenda items from interested parties are also welcomed and can be given to Gemma at least 2 weeks before a meeting.

Steve Butterworth

Community Governor

Chair of Governors

Resources Committee

Steve is married with three grown up children and became a Montacute governor in 1996 when his son Nicholas had been a student for about a year.

During his time as a governor Steve has performed a variety of roles including Chair of the Finance Committee, Chair of the Resources Committee and is currently Chair of Governors.

Steve has spent the majority of his career as a manager in IT within financial services and currently works for Lloyds Banking Group.

Having seen how his son Nicholas enjoyed his 15 years at Montacute and developed as a person, Steve is keen that the school continues to offer special children the very best start in life.

Alison Dalton

Parent Governor

Co-Vice Chair of Governors

Resources Committee

Chair of Resources Committee

I live in Ferndown with my husband, son age 14 (who goes to Montacute) and my daughter age 9.

I am passionate about ensuring the children are given the best possible assistance, support and facilities to obtain high standards of education suitable to their individual needs, and importantly learning through having fun.

My son has been at Montacute for 4 years and just loves it, the staff are amazing with him and he has lots of fun, a happy child means a happy mum.

My background is in Finance and Strategic Management, I have 24 years experience in the commercial and public sector in all aspects of finance, management and corporate governance.

For the past 9 years my husband and I have been running our own business, which is a very rewarding, enjoyable and keeps us very busy.

I am married to Simon Miller and living in Ferndown with our daughters, Vicki and Paige. I was born in Timperley, Cheshire in 1957.

I trained to teach children with special needs, qualifying in 1978, specialising in children with PMLD. I have provided respite care to over 40 children with profound disabilities, and continue to do so.

My association with Montacute School began in 1989 when Simon and I moved to Dorset and I started supply teaching. When I became a parent, two of my children attended Montacute School. Simon was a Parent Governor at Montacute about 15 years ago. For 10 years I was involved in the Acorn Summer Playscheme.

Paige and Vicki attend a day centre and this is my free time. I love the garden and walking. I have several little friends, all with very special needs, for regular respite I enjoy ebay, selling for us, friends and some organisations. I particularly like buying selling and loaning disabled equipment. I can sew, so I make and adapt special clothing. I sit down with the Telegraph crossword and do my best.

When I asked Simon about my strengths, he said tenacity, follow through and a good organiser. My weakness apparently is that I don't know when to stop. I don't understand that, as I've too much to do.

Jane Shaw

Community Governor

Standards Committee

Chair of Standards Committee

I have retired from the position of Vice Principal at Beacon Hill Academy, Thurrock. I worked at Beacon Hill for 8 years having previously worked at Lancaster School, Southend, for 15 years. Both schools had students with severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, together with complex needs.

I have lived on Bournemouth, part time, for the last 10 years, but have now moved here permanently. I am a season ticket holder at AFC Bournemouth and I am never happier than when cheering on the Cherries!

My other interests include travelling, particularly to countries where I can see exotic animals. Also I love the theatre and settling down with a good book.

Being a Governor gives me the opportunity to keep in touch with changes and progress in education. I hope my experience and expertise will support the staff, enabling all the students to reach their full potential.

Nicola Keynes

Community Governor

Resources Committee

Since February 2004 I have worked in Children's Services at the Borough of Poole in the role of Asset Planning and Development Manager in which I am responsible for mainstream pupil place planning and the planning and delivery of the Childrenís Services capital programme.

Previously I worked at The Wey Valley School in Weymouth as the school business manager from 1998 to 2004. This means that I have 17 years experience of working in or with schools. From 1984 to 1997 I worked for a charity in London which provided services to a range of housing organisations, including those providing supported housing to people with learning disabilities.

My sister who died in 2008 aged 60 had learning and other disabilities and therefore I have a strong interest in provision for children and adults who face similar challenges.

Jill Owen

Headteacher

I have had over 30 years working in Special Schools including a residential school run by RNIB, one specialising in supporting young people who have physical disabilities - and 15 happy years as a class teacher at Montacute! I have had 11 years as a Head, 3 at Montacute so far.

I have a husband and 2 sons who are now grown up.

I also have a cat and 2 tortoises. The governing body of a school is so important in underpinning the vision, direction and aspirations of a school and I feel privileged to be a part of the dedicated and skilled governing body at Montacute.

Paul Collins

Community Governor

Resources Committee

My name is Paul Collins. I am current working for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service as a fire safety inspector. Prior to this I was a Strategic Commander for Dorset fire and Rescue Service and retired in 2011 as the Area Commander for the Poole and Bournemouth conurbation.

As part of this role I chaired the Poole Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and was a member on the Bournemouth LSP.

I was lucky enough to lead during a period of great change with in the fire service. Part of this change was becoming more aware of our role within the community not just from a “fire” perspective but from a more holistic approach, especially around wellbeing and working with other organisations.

Information sharing amongst organisations was paramount and I realised that we had a role to play in supporting those less well off in our society. I had 100 plus firefighters entering people’s homes carrying out fire safety checks ensuring that they were safe should a fire occur. Firefighters were also evidencing other wellbeing issues but were unsure how to fully identify the issues and where to report them. Through the local LSPs I organised some training with each organisation (including Dorset Fire and Rescue DFRS) identifying signs and symptoms (cause and affect) and where to report these. This, however, did need some controls so we set about recruiting safeguarding officers and a reporting structure. As Area Commander, I was the senior point of conduct vetting concerns and ensuring the issue went to the right level within the right organisation. This system is still in place today.

I have a family 2 daughters, one a doctor and have empathy and sympathy for the great work Montacute School and others do, as my brother has 3 children, all with autism.

I hope I can assist in the great work the school does.

Jan Foster

Community Governor

Standards Committee

I recently moved to Broadstone with my husband Steve, after 25 years living and working on the Isle of Wight. We have elderly parents needing increasing care and support; not having to spend time crossing the Solent is allowing us to see more of them as well as spend more time with our daughter and grandchildren.

Since taking early retirement 2 years ago, I have endeavoured to be a better and more knowledgeable gardener, with varying results! Moving house has given me new inspiration! I also enjoy walking, reading, travel, watching cricket, aquafit, and drawing and feltmaking.

I have 40 years teaching experience, all within Special Needs and when I realised that Montacute School was close by, I felt that becoming a Governor would be an interesting new challenge, where I could put my skills and knowledge to good use! I feel that Special schools have an important role to play in students’ lives, giving them the best education possible to prepare them for a fulfilling adult life. I welcome the opportunity to be a part of that.

Marci Osborn

Teacher Governor

Standards Committee

I have been a teacher at Montacute for 18 years(Please don't tell anyone!!).

I am married to the very lovely and patient Phil and have 2 boys: Makenzi is 20 (enjoying life at university) and Harvey who is a crazy, active bundle of 4 years old.

We live in Poole and love to spend free time in the sea swimming, on the sea - Jet skiing, or by the sea - drinking lots of coffee!

I have been a teacher for many years, but I am now on the school leadership team. Part of my role is inclusion leader so I set up links with mainstream pupils to work and socialise with our pupils here at Montacute and also for some of our pupils to spend time with peers in mainstream classes.

The other part of my role is as a Senior Leader for outreach. I support pupils with SEN in mainstream settings by working with their teachers and TAs, setting up programs and implementing strategies. I love my role as it means I get to work with pupils and teachers in mainstream schools, but most of all I still get to work with our wonderful pupils here at Montacute.

I enjoy working with the other Governors to support the school to be the best it can be.

Susan Watts

Community Governor

Resources Committee

I have been involved in education for almost 40 years most of which has been spent working in schools including being a headteacher for 7 years. I have worked as an LA school improvement adviser for 9 years and currently work for the borough of Poole. I am also an OFSTED inspector.

This experience has given me a good understanding of the educational landscape Hopefully, the knowledge and experience that I have will aid the governing body in its goal to take Montacute an outstanding level.

Bev Gowman

Community Governor

Standards Committee

Hello, my name is Bev Gowman, I am a Nanny of two, have a niece who attend Montacute School and have lived in Bournemouth all my life . I work in the FE sector for a Specialist Post 16 Independent College in Dorset. I am passionate about ensuring that every young person reaches their full potential and has opportunities fulfil their dreams. I am a lead Safeguarding Officer and am qualified in Person Centred Training.

Photo coming soon...

Tracey Smith

Support Staff Governor

Resources Committee

Coming soon...

Wendy Byers

Community Governor

Standards Committee

I am Wendy, married to Andy with a grown up Son and Daughter. I am Grandmother to four very young gorgeous Grandchildren. I am proud to say I am Poole born and bred several generations.

My travelling experiences began when I married Andy in 1981 who at the time was serving in the Army. 11 married quarters in 16 years mean I am good at adapting to new situations and of course great at packing. I have lived in Germany, Hong Kong and U.K.

I enjoy swimming, gardening, cooking and my favourite, cruising.

I began my teaching assistant experiences in mainstream service children's schools for 7 years. I became a nursery Nurse after going back to college at the grand age of 36 once we settled back in Poole. This led to a placement in Montacute School, which quickly led to an interview. In September 1998, I began a twenty year employment working with the most amazing students and staff at Montacute. I have worked with most ages. I ran a small ASD class under the direction of the ASD specialist in school and finished with the last 6 years of job sharing with a teacher running a post 14 to 19 PMLD class. I retired early last July after re-evaluating what I wanted from life after recovering from a serious health issue. Then I was aware that I was still not quite ready to hang up the Montacute boots, and became a Governor in November.

Gemma Bugler

Governor Support

I have been supporting the Governors of Montacute School for over 6 years now. I also work in the school office, dealing mainly with pupil related matters. Most of my work is around arranging pupil annual reviews and completing all of the paperwork that goes with them.

I live in Poole, not far from the school. I have two black Labradors called Lolly & Lacey, a New Forest Pony called Blaze and a Welsh Cob Section D called Crispy. Needless to say that most of my spare time is spent with them! (Luckily my partner is an avid golfer so he doesn't feel too left out!)

Working in the office at Montacute School is a very busy job! It has helped me immensely in my role as Governor Support to get to know the pupils and to know how the school works on a day to day basis.